Easy Skillet Cabbage

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/18/21
Easy Skillet Cabbage
The Spruce
Prep: 7 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 27 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
130 Calories
8g Fat
15g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 130
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 145mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 79mg 397%
Calcium 107mg 8%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 431mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This super easy skillet cabbage recipe is made with just six ingredients, including a few seasonings and a little vinegar. It's an excellent side dish for a ham dinner and makes a good accompaniment for corned beef, pork roast or chops, and braised or grilled sausages. Add mashed or boiled potatoes and crusty bread for a satisfying family meal.

This cabbage recipe takes less than 30 minutes, start to finish. It's all cooked in a skillet on the stovetop and simply needs to be stirred occasionally, so it's pretty hands-off.

Be sure to remove the tough core of the cabbage before shredding it. The cabbage and onion are sautéed in butter (use soy margarine to make it vegan) then seasoned with a salt blend. When it's almost done, you'll add a mixture of vinegar and a small amount of sugar, giving the cabbage a sweet-sour taste. You can build on that foundation by adding crumbled bacon or a little leftover diced ham. Sprinkling some caraway seeds on top is another great way to give the cabbage a hint of flavor and fantastic crunch.

Use your favorite store-bought seasoned salt, or whip one up from ingredients in your spice cupboard. It can be as simple or complex as you like. For instance, you can use a combination of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Or try this cabbage with a seasoned salt recipe that also includes thyme, marjoram, curry powder, dry mustard, dill weed, and celery salt.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

  • 1 medium head cabbage, coarsely shredded

  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped

  • 3 tablespoons vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    Easy skillet cabbage ingredients
    The Spruce

  2. In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter.

    Melt butter in skillet
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  3. Stir in the seasoned salt, cabbage, and onion.

    Stir in salt, cabbage, and butter
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  4. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 15 minutes. Stir frequently.

    Cook cabbage in skillet
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  5. In a bowl, blend together the vinegar and sugar, and add to the cabbage mixture. Stir gently to blend ingredients. 

    Add sugar and vinegar to cabbage
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  6. Cook the cabbage for about 5 minutes longer, or to the desired doneness.

    Cooked skillet cabbage
    The Spruce

Tip


  • Make a DIY seasoned salt blend. Combine 2 tablespoons of salt with 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and a dash of garlic powder.

Recipe Variations

  • Add cooked crumbled bacon to the cabbage or diced cooked and sautéed ham.
  • Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds, if desired.